EFFECTS OF CALCIUM MAGNESIUM ACETATE, A ROAD DEICER, ON THE LENTIC ENVIRONMENT IN INTERIOR ALASKA. INTERIM REPORT

Calcium magnesium acetate (CMA) was identified as a viable alternative to sodium and calcium chloride salts, and field and lab tests were performed to determine its level of performance. Preliminary findings indicate that CMA is less corrosive than chloride salts on metallic highway structures and automobiles, and less detrimental on aquatic communities. The significance of an environmentally safer road deicer for Alaska is great. Due to the longer winter, the number of deicer applications is significantly greater than in the contiguous U.S. However, with spring runoff being the major melt event in interior Alaska, a high dilution factor into lotic systems would occur, thereby minimizing the direct effects of the deicer on streams. A major concern for Alaska is the accumulation of the deicer into small roadside ponds via snowmelt. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of CMA entering the aquatic ecosystem of small ponds and compare with similar control ponds. The preliminary study was designed to determine: (1) presence of calcium, magnesium, sodium and potassium concentrations within the water column and sediments to monitor the divalent-to-monovalent cation ratio; (2) standing crop of vascular plants to estimate productivity; (3) algae colonization onto artificial substrates; and (4) the amount of dissolved oxygen available and produced by the ecosystem. Three ponds received an amount of CMA that significantly elevated the calcium concentrations, and three ponds, matched chemically and morphometrically, remained untreated to serve as controls. Data collection was conducted from May through September 1984. Throughout this sampling period, elevations of calcium levels and alkalinity were noted, although associated detrimental effects were not detected. Significant changes of dissolved oxygen levels did not occur and chlorophyll "a" concentrations increased primarily with time. Future investigation is necessary to determine any long-term detrimental effects.

• Record URL:
  • http://www.dot.state.ak.us/stwddes/research/assets/pdf/ak_rd_86_02.pdf
• 
• Record URL:
  • https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/14694
• Corporate Authors:

  Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities

  2301 Peger Road
  Fairbanks, AK  United States  99701
• Authors:
  • Rea, C L
  • LaPerriere, J D
• Publication Date: 1985

Media Info

• Pagination: 52 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Algae; Aquatic life; Calcium magnesium acetate; Deicing equipment; Ecosystems; Environmental impacts; Ponding
• Uncontrolled Terms: Deicers; Ponds
• Subject Areas: Environment; Geotechnology; Highways; Hydraulics and Hydrology; Maintenance and Preservation; Materials; Vehicles and Equipment; I62: Winter Maintenance;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00488200
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities
• Report/Paper Numbers: AK-RD-86-02
• Files: NTL, TRIS, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Sep 30 1989 12:00AM